Firstly, thank you to all the incredible and generous folk out there who have commissioned me to write a song through my Songwriting Gift project. It's been an incredible experience and one I've enjoyed immensely. The response has been straight out overwhelming and initially had me wondering how the hell I was going to do all of this ~ let's face it, there's a lot of birthdays out there - is everyone born in April, May and June? If you haven't received your song gift yet, I'm simply meeting birthday deadlines first of all, promise it won’t be too long now.
Things started to get a little out of control when a podcast called Chat 10 Looks 3 hosted by Annabel Crabb (thank you) and Leigh Sales went to air early in April.
So on here, at about the 58 minute mark of this podcast Annabel mentions my Songwriting Gift project to Leigh Sales ... since then, at about 8am most days when I can I’m sitting at the kitchen table with my trusty guitar writing songs, or at least trying to. Yes, really. I've got to say I'm simply loving the process when I'm not completely stressing over the clumsiness of a rhyme, a phrase that doesn't sit well or a chord that clangs or my inability to be more technically skilled. It's such a great thing for me to do, not only for myself, but to do for someone else, so again thank you, thank you one and all.
The other bonus is getting to work closely with 'Evil' Graham Lee (The Triffids|The Blackeyed Susans|The Bottomless Schooners of Old) and again with the maestro guitarist and producer Shane O'Mara.
Songs have come from numerous sources and on a wide variety of subjects ~ from a nuclear physicist dealing with climate change, a chap from Halifax, Canada and the recent killing spree in Portapique, a love song to a pirate, motel room romances, a couple of would-be drug dealers getting busted in the NSW southern tablelands ... and of course birthdays and anniversaries, a baby's song and a Mother's Day gift. Such a joyous creative process and I'm simply sharing your ideas through song. Grateful to all who've shared intimate details and the sometimes hilarious nature of my correspondence with partners and gift givers, thanks for making it a hoot. Appreciate being made privy to some moments in time that make for a more personal song too.
I don't know when or if I'll ever actually stop doing this as I'm enjoying it so much. So if you'd like to join the song trail ~ all you have to do is head to my shop and make a choice of solo, or with Graham or Shane. I can send you a list of sorts if that helps to start the creative process when suggesting a song for a partner or family member. If you'd prefer to supply a set of lyrics or a poem we're more than happy to work with your words also. A cover or two have been requested also, which I'm happy to try as long as it's not impossible for me to play ... does anyone need to hear me sing 'To Sir With Love' apart from Doug and Renae... or Augie March's 'The Night Is A Blackbird' apart from Peter Thomas, probably not but I enjoyed doing so. Again if there's something you'd like to hear, don't hesitate to ask.
Really, really humbled by your response ... so big thanks again everyone.
Rx